Only Two Wards in Chennai Implement Child Safety Plans
In a concerning development, only two out of the 200 wards in Chennai have functioning child protection committees, leaving the vast majority of wards without dedicated panels to address children’s safety. While the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and the Department of Children Welfare and Special Services have committed to expanding these panels, the slow pace of progress highlights the challenges faced in ensuring comprehensive child protection across the city.
The government order issued by the Social Welfare Department last year mandates the formation of ward-level child protection committees in all urban local bodies, including town panchayats, municipalities, and corporations. These committees are tasked with fostering a child-friendly environment by reducing school dropouts, tackling child labour, combating malnutrition, and monitoring the overall well-being of children. In Chennai, the establishment of these panels has been particularly slow, with just wards 38 and 47 having operational committees. These panels meet quarterly to discuss key issues, such as drug abuse among children and the condition of neighbourhood parks. In one of their key initiatives, they are also conducting a survey to ensure that every child in their area is enrolled in school. Despite these efforts, the absence of a formal mechanism for reporting progress to higher authorities, such as the District Collector, remains a major hurdle.
North Chennai, in particular, lags behind, with none of the 58 wards in the region having set up a child protection committee. The remaining wards in Central and South Chennai, numbering 79 and 58 respectively, also face similar delays. According to a child welfare committee official, the process of establishing these committees has been hampered by administrative delays. The lack of coordination between different departments, particularly the delay in receiving clearance from the Chief Health Officer at the GCC, has caused setbacks. The child protection units are also struggling with a severe shortage of staff, with just eight officers assigned to monitor and oversee the activities in North Chennai.
This delay in implementing child protection measures is worrying, particularly in the context of rising child welfare issues. Without proper monitoring, there is a risk that children in these unprotected wards will continue to face neglect, exploitation, and unsafe environments. This is especially concerning in a city like Chennai, where urbanisation has led to increased vulnerability of children living in overcrowded areas, where access to quality education, healthcare, and recreational spaces is limited. The implementation of these child protection panels is crucial not only for immediate child welfare but also for the city’s long-term development. These committees would also help in curbing systemic issues such as child labour and malnutrition, which persist in various parts of the city.
From a sustainability perspective, the establishment of these committees plays a vital role in the city’s social fabric. By focusing on child protection, the committees contribute to creating a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable society. Children are the future of the city, and investing in their safety, health, and education is an essential part of building a resilient urban community. A lack of child protection leads to a host of long-term social issues, including increased crime rates, educational inequality, and health disparities. As such, prioritising the implementation of these panels across all wards in Chennai is not just a matter of civic responsibility, but a step towards ensuring that the city’s future is built on a foundation of equality and sustainable development.
The challenges surrounding the establishment of child protection committees in Chennai’s urban wards are emblematic of broader issues in urban governance. While authorities are working to overcome these hurdles, the process must be expedited to ensure that every child in Chennai, regardless of where they live, has access to a safe and supportive environment that promotes their growth and well-being.